If you trust the collective expertise of social media, the new God of War Laufey is already a huge failure.
Okay. God of War is getting a female protagonist. So what? What exactly is the problem?
Whenever game and story designers make a decision for the game they are responsible for, there's outrage on social media. Sometimes it's gone after a couple of days and nobody cares anymore, sometimes it drags on for weeks, if not months.
And that's exactly what's happening with God of War Laufey, the newest title in the series, announced just last week with a gameplay reveal trailer.
The argument this time? A woman - Faye, the wife of Kratos - takes the lead. We follow her journey through the afterlife. Oh, and did I almost forget one of the loudest complaints? Right: she's ugly and doesn't look like a 20-year-old supermodel fresh off the catwalk.
Well, you try staying pretty after you've died. This is not Stellar Blade, and it's not Bayonetta either.
I Get the Frustration - Up to a Point
But let's be serious for a moment: I completely understand the sentiment when you've been playing a series for ages and the studio suddenly swaps out the main character or the setting. It can feel confusing, and it's not exactly what you've been waiting years for.
I felt something similar when Nintendo announced Tears of the Kingdom. Instead of a more linear, dungeon-focused sequel to Breath of the Wild, they basically gave us the same game again - just with even more crafting. For the record: I put four hours into it and never touched it again.
I'm only telling you this so you know I understand what it feels like when your favorite series takes a hard turn. But back to God of War.
Why Faye as the Protagonist Makes Perfect Sense
The series lives on mythology. Kratos as the big angry dad stomping his enemies into the ground while trying to raise Atreus and teach him the meaning of life - that was the heart of the last two games. But Faye and her death were essential to that father-son journey. Her passing is literally what kicked the whole story off back in 2018.
I'm not claiming "Faye was secretly pulling every string the whole time." from the trailer, it looks like she's been busy with her own affairs in the afterlife.
And in this mythological world, following a powerful Jötunn warrior on her interrupted journey after death feels completely logical.
It also doesn't mean Kratos is never coming back. Exploring a new corner of the saga gives the developers room to breathe and tell different stories. It keeps the series fresh and can open up interesting new perspectives for future titles. Who knows? Maybe Faye's story hooks directly into the next mainline game and we get some kind of magical reunion.
We're dealing with gods and magic, after all. Anything is possible.
A Fresh Combat Style Instead of Copy & Paste
What genuinely excites me is the potential for a new combat style. After two games of Kratos' brutal, heavy-hitting approach, Faye looks more agile - maybe a bit more magical and tactical, with that golden hand and her own set of weapons.
That different flow could be really refreshing while still feeling like God of War. And it's entirely possible the new style attracts new players to the series.
There is one point where I agree with the critics, though: some of it does look a bit silly. A talking jelly cube called Phrank? Ribbons on a sword that talk as well?
That's absolutely weird, even for me, and I understand everyone raising an eyebrow like Mr. Spock.
I really hope serious fights don't end up as cheap slapstick moments.
The "Ugly" Debate
Which brings us to the big looks debate. Come on, people. She's an older warrior who has literally died - and the "proof" everyone keeps passing around is a single frame in which she wakes up in the afterlife, still in shock.
That's seconds after she opened her eyes, gasping for breath.
Calling her flat-out ugly because of that is unfair. I wouldn't call her hot, but she's still reasonably attractive. People should stop comparing one frozen frame to years-old, heavily photoshopped red-carpet photos of the actress in full makeup.
But maybe I'm just too old to understand. Who knows.
Either way, the design fits the grounded Norse aesthetic the series has committed to.
Take a Breath - There's Real Potential Here
People really need to calm down a bit. This could be a very interesting game, and it might absolutely bring new players in. The Everwhen afterlife setting opens up plenty of further mythological possibilities.
Just imagine Faye running into all the gods and monsters Kratos has sent to the afterlife over the years. Something like: "Oh... so you're Kratos' wife?" - like walking into prison and everyone immediately knows exactly who you are.
That could make for some pleasantly elevated tension.
Of course, I don't want to overhype this or defend everything a studio does or communicates. I found the gameplay trailer pleasant to watch overall, but we'll have to see whether the writing stays strong and avoids the easy tropes.
The new companion... Phranque... looks silly, but I'm willing to give it a chance.
If they deliver solid combat, respect the lore, and give Faye a story that actually matters instead of being glorified filler - this could be a genuinely interesting title that stands alongside Kratos' games.
I mean, the studio has delivered in the past, hasn't it? And most people ended up pretty happy with the last two games.
And whether all of this is "woke" or not? Honestly, I don't care. I just want a decent game I can enjoy.
What do you think - are you looking forward to Faye's journey through the Everwhen, or did it have to be Kratos for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments. The video version is over on my YouTube channel.